Thursday, December 15, 2011

Hundreds Gather for Memorial Service

To show her love for Jubilee, Michelle played a recording of a letter that she had written to her daughter, whom she looks forward to meeting in heaven one day.

The family also distributed photos of their stillborn child's hand and feet. One of the photos bore this quote: "There is no foot too small that it cannot leave an imprint on this world."

"I feel a great sorrow and grief, and yet at the same time I have a peace in my heart," Michelle told People. "This is so sad, but I have peace. There are people praying for us and angels surrounding our home, and there was peace in the sorrow and the grief. Those feelings are mingled together."

l will be praying for the family, I know how you and the family feel because one of our triplets passed away,she stoped growing at 19 weeks At 8 oz but when she passed away and I had her she was 3 oz but Ijust try to reamber that she is in a much better place and we will see her again one day in Heaven.

I am praying for yoor family may GOD keeps his arms around you and your family.. My babies just got a new friend in heaven.. Just think one day you will see her again she will be walking on streets of GOLD waiting for you!!

I am so sorry May God keep his arms around you and your family.. My baby and my nephew just got a new friend in heaven .. Hold to the promise of God you will see her again.. She is up there playing in the street of Gold..She got the best baby sitter you could ask for xoxoxoxoxo

My heart breaks with yours. Your whole family has made an inpression on me and in my heart including Jubilee. I will say a special prayer for the whole family tonight, wishing I could do more.((((Hugs))) Thank you for sharing her with all of us.

I am truely sorry and give my deepest sympathy for this family in there time of loss. I dont know what it is like to loose a child as I have never lost one I have 4 beautiful girls and a stepson but I will pray for yall in your time of sorrow and loss. God Bless yall and may he keep baby Jubilee in his hands and may you see him one day again we all beleivers go to be with the Lord.

You and your family are in my heart and prayers. I'm so sorry for your loss. It breaks my heart to read the negativity from people in regards to your family and choices. You two are an amazing source of inspiration for Christian families. I pray that God heals your hearts and Michelle's body. Please continue to raise your family the way God wants us to. I hope He brings you peace and comfort during this time. God Bless and Merry Christmas.

I don't understand. The family wanted privacy to grieve at this time, but are publishing photos and sending people to a website like TMZ, where the pictures are on the same page as Lindsay Lohan's Playboy shoot? That is highly inappropriate.

God doesn't put more on u that u cannot bear! Your Family has put him first in everything that you all do. At the end of the day , Father knows best! I feel exactly what your going through even more because I had experienced a miscarriage at 9 months and 1 week. Up to this present time I have not gotten over this experience. May God bless and continue to carry your family through this sad moment!

Oh my goodness my heart jumped when I saw this precious picture. Such a blessing of an example that the Duggar family is celebrating their child's life, and showing everyone that every life is precious.

I know the pictures caused some people problems, but I am grateful someone thought of doing that. It will be disturbing to many to think that so many babies have died needless deaths at this very stage of development. Many seeing that picture will think of their own babies, many thinking they were just (what did the OB/GYN call it/them...a "fetus"/fetuses) instead of real live human babies. The thought will strike pain in some and wonder in others. The articulation of the hands and feet are wonder-ful. And that this is the mother's hands holding the hand of her own little one is extremely moving. The miracle of Jubilee's life has been captured and preserved for the family as well as for the watching world. Though the photos and memorial service may cause pain to some in remembering other babies lost and uncelebrated, my prayer is that the wonder and beauty of what has been represented here--a family's love and celebration of the life of their own little daughter no matter how early in development she was when life ceased--will cause many to desire that kind of peace and joy. It is never too late to celebrate a life long past even through the pain. Because of Jesus Christ's atonement on the cross (John 3:16), there is forgiveness and New Life! May God bring healing and restoration to many through Jubilee's life and this family's testimony. Death is no joy, but praise to our Lord Jesus Christ, there is joy in seeing past death to the hope of eternal life. And that hope is for everyone, even now. It's okay to cry. May the tears turn the sorrow to everlasting joy.

When a close relative of mine lost their child (a stillbirth at full term), their grief prohibited them from even thinking of taking pictures of that child, even though they did get to hold him and I was there to see that beautiful little baby "asleep" in his mother's arms. That no picture was taken later caused much sorrow. It was too late then to go back and commemorate that child's life.

However, those who would like to commemorate their own children in heaven, who never took that opportunity at the time, may still do so. I gave that mother an artwork with a little boy child playing in a field with a puppy with the same hair color as I knew their son had. An appropriate scripture was included at bottom.

Perhaps you, too, would like to find or create such a commemoration for your child. It is not too late to informally name your children if this was not done. Create a name page (the meaning of the name and perhaps even a short hand-written prayer or thoughts on that child's life) and hang that on the wall. Pray a prayer of thanks in a special family time. Such acts can bring healing and closure if there is lingering pain of loss. It is never too late to celebrate a life! One can never do it too often!! (And don't forget to celebrate the children who are yet alive and needing their family's blessing and approbation and encouragement!)

HIstorically, women took miscarriages hard, but in stride. Then, life was precious and death was expected. But today calls for more intentional commemorations. Life has lost its meaning in our world and death has become the "unspeakable thing". It is a paradox, however, that the more we leave death in the shadows, the more intentional deaths occur.

What the Duggars have done is revolutionary and right and good, not a publicity stunt as some crassly suggest. They have provided all of us with an example that can be used for helping in the healing for others.

Again, I say, What a beautiful thing the Lord has done, even at such a time as this. God is good, all the time.

These are incredibly moving pictures!I am sorry that some people see this child as a "fetus " and cannot see that she was a precious gift from God.Sending love and prayers to the Duggar family from the UK.

First, I am in awe of the dignity and love with which the Duggars have mourned for the loss of this child. In sharing these photographs at the memorial, they are showing that this was indeed a life worthy of love and respect. That being said, I´m really uncomfortable with the idea of having these pictures available on the web without the Duggars´ express permission. I appreciate your efforts to share with us as much as you can about the Duggars and humbly ask you to consider removing this picture (and the reference to the gossip-mongers at tmz) from your otherwise very encouraging website.

I don't know if Michelle will read this post through this website, but I hope so.

I miscarried our 4th baby at 12 weeks. The months that followed were incredibly difficult. My due date with that little one was October 20, 2008 and I celebrate his/her would-be birthday in my heart every year. I had no idea how much losing that baby would hurt. This song, sung the conservative bluegrass family The Rochesters, was such a comfort to me through that time.

My thoughts and prayers are withyou and your family know that she is in a better place were she is a beautiful angel.May God keep give you strength, peace, hope,during this time and may he keep his loving arms around you and your family, Jubilee is watching over you all everyday and she is your guarding angel.

Don't feel too bad for them - they don't learn their lessons from God. She will be pregnant again within a couple months. God clearly forgot to give this woman a brain. When she dies because her body simply gives out, it will also be "God's" decision - meanwhile, she will have selfishly left behind children who need a mother.

The pictures of your precious daughter are beautiful. They remind me of the pictures I have of my son's hands and feet. he was stillborn and so tiny like your daughter. Big hugs to you all. you are in my thoughts and prayers. ((((HUGS))))

Precious Michelle, may our Heavenly Father hold you in his arms during this grieving period. Thank you for hugging me during a difficult journey in my own life. Big families are special; lots of hugs, joy and laughter to get you through the trials. Jim Bob, thank you for honoring, respecting and loving your wife, children and most especially our Heavenly Father. We are called to be the light in the darkness; thank you for letting HIS light shine through you. Children, know that you are LOVED during this trial. Each heartbeat counts; no matter the length. Hugs, Darlene

Why a J name? I thought it would be with a C like the first miscarried baby that started this entire baby making machine. Ceremony would have been fine.....those words lovely the photo should never been displayed outside from Jubilee's parents. Maybe they will think now this is God's way of saying enough...you populated the earth thy will be done.

I have always appreciated your testimony that shines through every aspect of your lives. I am grateful to God & to all of you that your testimony continues through this difficult time. You are in my thoughts & prayers, as well as those of members of my family.

It is so comforting to know that your family feels the prayers of thousands, if not millions of people. Your faith in God has helped me through the process of my own miscarriage, which was the week before your own precious daughter. I will continue to pray that God wraps you in his love...

Ok I'm very disturbed by some of these people's comments! Seriously it is their decision to keep having these precious & amazing children! Leave them alone! They are going through a very difficult time & don't need your nasty, rude comments! If you don't like what they are doing get off their blog!

I saw the picture of Jubilee holding her momma's hand and it's beautiful! To see such a tiny hand, that had been so alive...who says we need to live a 100 years?! Life is life, even in the womb, even for such a tiny girl...Dear Michelle, I know you will always treasure these pictures and I pray you will draw strength from the knowledge that you are following the Lord who gives us all life, may He be your comfort. {{{HUGS}}}

God blesses you all! Jubilee has several of my grandkids up there with her as playmates. My oldest daughter lost four babies between her first and second children, and one at six months gestation between her second and third children.So we understand the pain of loss.

I was able to hear Michelle's audio letter to Jubilee Shalom, so beautiful.What strength & faith Michelle has to write & speak such beautiful words to Jubilee, to share her innermost feelings with so many. Michelle my prayers are with you. God Bless.Brenda

I can not even come close to knowing the pain that you are going through right now. Yes your family is grieving but only you and you alone had the ability to actually know and hold your baby girl. You cradled that precious gift in your body in that precious spot so close to your heart. The place where a part of her will stay forever. I am also so incredibly sorry that you and your family has to be bombarded by such incredibly harsh and hateful words. Any child would be so incredibly lucky to be born into your family. I have never seen a family that shares such a wonderful love for each other. I wish you peace.Jamelle Feddersen Illinois

i have lost a child and know the inner pain it can bring. but think on this.. you have become the family we watch and look up to. in your pain we have learned to deal with ours also. you are a lving example of God's love and redemptive power.Shaloam is a testimoy of creation and how we must all value even the smallest in life.. we live, we breathe, we pass on to eternal life.. but it is what we do inbetween that we leave as a gift to mankind. the work and example of God's love is never easy.. you are in my prayers. and i am sure one little ark boy in heaven welcomed shaloam home when she arrived in heaven. love you all lots.

Was Jubilee delivered?This is all healing, though just wrong for TMX to pst pictures and for MSN to post the information on the wondeerwall.Couldn't the press see Amy tweeted the photos of her cousin so friends of the Duggars who could not be presentt could see God's blessing?

Dear Duggars, I am so very sorry for your loss. But relieved to know Michelle is at peace with all of this. My heart and prayers are with you all. Your family is an inspiration to people everywhere. God bless each and every one of you. With Love The Wiggins of Summerville SC

While my heart goes out to the Duggar family I can't help but feel at odds about the whole thing. Statistics will show that after age 35 you are more at risk to have problems with pregnancy.

http://women.webmd.com/pregnancy-after-35

If she's 45 and has already had a problem with pre-eclampsia with Josie then it's fair to say future children are more at risk to have problems... To me it's a sign from God that they have enough children and should continue to love every one of them because life is precious. What happens if they give birth to another baby and it has mental or physical problems.... They already have 19 kids, and the one kid that might have problems will require a lot of care.

Again, I'm truly sorry for the loss, and I hope the family can heal from this... This affects the whole family.

We are so very sorry for your loss and will keep you in our thoughts and prayers. We have 3 angels in heaven waiting for us and when i have a particularly rough moment, I ask them for help.Every Kind Wish, Joan

I'm so sorry for your loss, losing a child is hard but you already know that heavenly father is taking care of your little one and you will raise your beautiful little girl in Heaven. Ignore the mean comments, know you are loved and Heavenly Father has truly blessed you. My prayers, hope, and love are with you and your family! I am a mother of 5 and what you are doing is selfless and wonderful! What a beautiful family! God bring you comfort.

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